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R Bergquist

Publications and source records attributed to R Bergquist.

15 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

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Journal Article↗
PubMed1996

Progress on vaccines against parasites.

There has been significant progress in attempts to develop effective vaccines against parasitic diseases, including malaria, leishmaniasis and schistosomiasis. In malaria, in addition to field trials with SPf66, the Colombian malaria vaccine, several Plasmodium falciparum candidate vaccines are under Phase I testing, including NYVAC-7, a multi-antigen, attenuated recombinant vaccinia virus. Additional candidate antigens are at an advanced stage of pre-clinical development. In leishmaniasis, Phase III clinical trials on first generation vaccines (killed Leishmania, with or without BCG) are proceeding in several countries. Use of IL-12 as an adjuvant for use with killed Leishmania vaccine is being studied in non-human primates. A genetically constructed (gene knock-out) live avirulent Leishmania is being developed in preclinical studies as a potential live vaccine. Research is also underway to evaluate several recombinant proteins. The genes coding for such leading candidate antigens are also being incorporated into various live vectors to yield recombinant organisms with vaccination potential. In schistosomiasis, a strategy for the development of a vaccine against Schistosoma mansoni has been established, focussing on six priority recombinant antigens. An Asian S. japonicum vaccine development network has also been established, initially to develop a vaccine to block transmission in cattle and oxen, important reservoirs of the disease in Asia, and ultimately a human vaccine. As all of the above-mentioned vaccines will be used in the field in disease-endemic tropical countries, optimal stability will be of paramount importance.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed1990

Prospects of vaccination against schistosomiasis.

The development of a vaccine against schistosomiasis is necessary in order to reduce the risk of reinfection after drug treatment. Recent reports converge on a message strongly supporting the existence of naturally acquired human immunity to this infection and reinforcing the hypothesis that at least partial protection can be achieved by artificial means. Advances in molecular biology have led to the identification and characterization of an array of protective schistosome antigens, and the introduction of new sophisticated methods for their production enables a bypass of previous low-yielding and labour-intensive procedures. Although vaccination of animals with these antigens does not result in consistent levels of protection exceeding 50%, the reproducible induction of about 80% protection with live attenuated cercariae indicates that immunization against schistosomiasis is achievable. The finding of antibodies capable of blocking protective immunological responses suggests a complicated interaction between different properties of the immune system which needs to be understood and modulated in the direction of improved resistance. An overview of the present status of vaccine development in schistosomiasis including results in different animal models and evidence from field studies on humans is presented and discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Antibody against Encephalitozoon cuniculi in Swedish homosexual men.

Sera of 30 Swedish homosexual men belonging to the group at risk for the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) were examined for antibodies against various opportunistic parasites. Antibodies to Encephalitozoon cuniculi were found in 33%, to Pneumocystis carinii in 43%, and to Toxoplasma gondii in 37%. The results indicate that E. cuniculi might be transmitted among homosexual men.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1983

Mebendazole treatment of Echinococcus granulosus infection. Report of a case.

A patient with an Echinococcus granulosus cyst of the liver was treated with mebendazole for 94 days before operation. The serum levels of mebendazole varied from 39.4-274 ng/ml. After operation, cyst materials were inoculated into mice which developed hydatid cysts 10 months later. Intestinal absorption of mebendazole is poor and variable, and determination of serum concentrations is necessary during treatment. No apparently successful cases of drug treatment of E. granulosus infection have been verified by animal inoculation of cyst material; therefore, surgery must still be considered the treatment of choice. It is recommended that mebendazole be given prophylactically to prevent spread of the disease at operation.

Adult↗
PubMed1980

Evaluation of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and other serological tests for the diagnosis of toxoplasmosis.

The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was evaluated in human toxoplasmosis in three laboratories using their own procedures. The same batch of serum samples was investigated in the three laboratories. ELISA results were compared by statistical analysis both with one another and with those of the dye test (DT), immunofluorescence (IF), complement fixation test (CFT), and indirect haemagglutination (IHA).Highly significant correlations were obtained between the three laboratories with ELISA using two different antigens and enzyme conjugates. The correlations between ELISA and the other serological tests showed the following sequence: CFT>IF>IHA>DT. Highly significant correlations were obtained between ELISA using anti-gamma-chain and anti-total immunoglobulin conjugates. The agreement in discrimination between sera with low and high antibody levels was good for all the different ELISA techniques but discrimination between positive and negative sera depended rather on the ELISA procedure used.

Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay↗
PubMed1968

The ultrastructure of human thyroglobulin.

Thyroglobulin molecules purified in a single step procedure by gel filtration were studied in the electron microscope using the negative staining technique. The molecule had the shape of a flexible helix with two turns. Its length was about 220 A and the maximal diameter of the coiled part of the molecule was estimated to be 110 A. The pitch varied between 40 and 50 A. Thyroglobulin molecules dried in sodium tungstosilicate on a carbon film as for electron microscopy retained their hemagglutination-inhibiting activity and 19S sedimentation constant when redissolved in physiological buffer.

Chemical Precipitation↗